Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-19

1 did so. When had finished she made no
comment, but babe us now give our attcn-
ton to mathematics. We did SO. She was
apparently O good teacher, for she took
much pains to explain the problems and the
rules that governed them; but her voice
never lost its automatical ring. 1t was as
though a wooden image were utterlng those
things, and consequently the instructions
she gave were dry and uninteresting, and
did not wonder that the children gave sigh
of relief when the lesson was over. But
they had evidently been taught implicit ODE
dience to their teachers rules, for they were
silent and respectful, paying strict atten-
ton TO their books after their first stare
OF welcome to me when was brought in.
She now gave us intcrmission, during which
she left US alone together. The children at
once threw of all restraint and approached
me with loud questions.
eWhat's your namel" asked the oldest
boy, looking into my face with his wicked
black eyes.
told him.
HAre you going to live herein he inquired
next
did not answer. His tone was jeering
and unlfind, and / felt ready to cry.
"Why don't you answer mol' no asked,
''we're going to have you here without
knowing who and what you nrel"
Mamma will tell us, said his sister, see
ing did not speak Sho was standing by
her brother, her golden HAIR and blue eyes
in strange contrast TO his dark skin and jet
black hair. That sho was proud, scornful
and vain did not doubt; and that L could
expect no kindness or friendliness from
her, saw at once.
81 suppose she is some little bcggar that
mamma has picked up" she said, with
toss Of her yellow curls. "Did mamma
bring you herei" she persisted, angrily.
ayes" answered, "but wish she never
had. / want TO go home,n and, unable
longer to control my feelings, gave way to
my grief and sobbed wildly.
After several attempts to question me
further the boy and girl left me to my self
and ran downstairs. The youngest boy re-
NAMED He was sweet little fellow. with
blue eyes and dark curling hair. "Don.i
cry" 20 said, coming close TO mo and laying
his little dimplcd hand on my shoulder.
eth make your head ache; it docs mine"
he continued, wisely.
j felt comforted somewhat by his gentle,
kindly words, and l sat up and wiped my
eyes.
'You came from a long way off, didn't
yoa" he inquired, seating himself beside
me. "And did my mamma bring you, and
what made your mamma let you comeln
~ have no mamma" / replied; and then
explained to him how we lived at tho
home and the circumstances OF his mothers
adopting me, though why she had done so,
when she had three children Of her own,
could not imagine
"Now tell me about yourself / said,
when l had finished. "Are those your
brother anil sister who were here moment
agol"
"Not my real brother and sister," he said,
gravely; "only my half brother and sister.
They're twins, you know; one is just as old
as the other Irma and Irving Barrett that's
their namesn
"And your namem inquired
SIS Berthe Clayton, he answered, so
gravely and manlile, l could hardly help
smiling.
"You and I'll be friends" no went on.
81 like you. You mustn't mind IL they are
cross and mean-they always are. But l
like you think you're nice, nicer than
Irma; not so pretty, for she is like a pict-
uro; heard mamma tell papa 80 to-day.
But she's cross TO mo. Are you ever
crossl"
assured him OF my usual good nature,
md We soon became good friends. He of
fered TO show me his pets, and willingly